Super Busy Sunday:) Krewe of Barkus Dog Parade

“Joyful, joyful, joyful, as only dogs know how to be happy with only the autonomy

of their shameless spirit.” 

― Pablo Neruda

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A wonderful afternoon on the Square in downtown Mckinney. The streets were packed with packs of dogs and their owners for the Krewe of Barkus Mardi Gras Dog Parade. The theme this year was literary characters. Dogs and owners dressed as characters from famous books. Mitchell Park was teeming with vendors and visitors, music and marvelous costumed contestants.

This was the 13th annual parade, founded and coordinated by my friend, Blynda Christian, is a McKinney tradition. Hundreds of people and doggies descended on the square to participate in or watch the parade. It was a gorgeous sunny day.

   
    
    
   
   
 
The best part was, I had the privilege and honor of being one of the three judges for the second year in a row. It was very fun, but very difficult to choose amongst all the creative costumes and adorable dogs.

  
 
A Great Dane Day was had by all! Especially me!

  
Thanks for the photo, Michael Murphy.

Sunday Afternoon in the Park: Going to the Dogs

Today turned out to be a beautiful sunny Sunday. Downtown McKinney celebrated their annual Krewe Barkus Parade on the Square, a combination Mardis Gras and doggie parade, complete with costumes and bead throwing. Yesterday was cold, damp and dreary, with a hailstorm around 2 am this morning, threatening today’s festivities. But, as luck would have it, the weather was fabulous. Hundreds lined the parade route to watch the dogs and their owners, dressed in costumes of their favorite cartoon, comic book or television characters. There was music in the air, tents with vendors, and animal rescue animals waiting for adoption.

One of the cool aspects of living in McKinney is that you can’t walk on the Square without bumping (literally), into a bunch of friends and neighbors. Today, I bumped into dozens of friends and their canine companions. The Square was hopping with visitors, pets, laughter, and family fun. If you think I didn’t have a great time, well, you’re just “barking” up the wrong tree. Woof, woof!